CHAPTER 442: CHAPTER 442: DISMISSED FROM ALL POSTS, NOT A SINGLE ONE REMAINS!

Lan Hui is the director and editor-in-chief of Yanxi Province TV Station.

She’s in her early fifties this year, about 1.6 meters tall, with short hair that gives off a very capable vibe.

From her refined facial features, one could deduce that she was likely a beauty in her youth.

Chen Bin noticed that every time there was a meeting, Lan Hui would be exactly fifteen minutes late.

Clearly, she was timing her entrance to perfection.

After sitting down, Lan Hui scanned the room with her gaze.

Seeing that everyone was already present, she spoke directly.

"Two matters today, one concerning personnel, the other about building the new station."

She opened a folder, took out a few sheets of paper, and began to read.

"First, the personnel issue. There are quite a few people in our station who just idle around all day. To change this situation, I’ve decided to relieve some of them from their posts, and the vacated positions will be open for competition again."

As her voice fell, the projector in the conference room displayed several densely packed pages of names.

Among them, the number of section-level and deputy section-level cadres added up to nearly seventy people.

Director Yin Liangkang of the News Department couldn’t help but speak up.

"Director Lan, are you really planning to dismiss all of these people?"

"Yes, not a single one will be spared!"

"No, I disagree with this approach! This list involves far too many people, and dismissing all of them will disrupt the normal operations of the station."

Shi Lijin quickly voiced his agreement.

"I support Director Yin’s perspective. Many of the people on this list work on the frontlines; we can’t handle this matter like this."

Lan Hui didn’t respond but instead turned to glance at the others.

"Anyone else planning to oppose me? Speak up now!"

Many people showed expressions of hesitation, as if they wanted to say something but ultimately dared not open their mouths.

"Since most people support my decision, there’s no need to consider the dissenting minority."

At this point, Lan Hui’s icy gaze flicked across Yin Liangkang and Shi Lijin.

"The two of you still have room to improve your ideological awareness."

The two exchanged a glance, their faces turning incredibly unpleasant, but they dared not continue resisting.

Lan Hui didn’t care about anyone’s opinions and continued talking at her own pace.

"Regarding the new station project, you only need to know about it. Meeting adjourned!"

After the meeting ended, Chen Bin went to the restroom.

Just after entering a stall, he overheard whispers from outside.

"Damn it, what a load of crap about competitive positions—it’s just an excuse to rake in money!"

"Exactly. She did the same thing when she first joined the station. Claimed it was competitive hiring, but it turns out whoever gave the most gifts got promoted. She’s treating the TV station like her personal cash machine."

"What can we do? She’s got backing. We just have to put up with it."

When Chen Bin stepped out of the stall, the two people talking had already left.

To uncover more internal news about the station, Chen Bin knocked on Fan Sheng’s office door and walked in.

"Director Fan, do you have time for lunch? How about grabbing a meal together?"

"Oh, that might not be possible. I’ve got some family matters to attend to. How about dinner? I’ll treat you tonight."

"That’s too generous, I wouldn’t dare impose. Let me treat you instead."

"No way. I insist on treating! You’ve been at the station for so long, and we still haven’t had a meal together. That’s my oversight, so this time it has to be me!"

Chen Bin thought there was plenty of time ahead and didn’t argue further.

As soon as he returned to his office, he received a WeChat message from Shen Xue.

"Chen Bin, why don’t we have lunch together?"

"Better not. I’ve just joined the station, and quite a few people are watching me. Meeting up might not look good."

Shen Xue found his reasoning valid and didn’t say much more.

That evening, after work, Chen Bin went to a high-end restaurant near the TV station with Fan Sheng.

When ordering, Fan Sheng picked out all the best dishes and drinks.

During the meal, the two chatted while eating, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.

"Director Fan, how long have you been working at the station?"

"Twenty years! Ever since I graduated, I’ve been here."

"Among the deputy division-level cadres at the station, there probably isn’t anyone who’s been here longer than you, right?"

After a brief thought, Fan Sheng slightly shook his head.

"Hmm... there truly doesn’t seem to be anyone. I suppose I’ve been here the longest."

"Director Fan, with so many years at the station, you must’ve made significant contributions. I’d guess it won’t be long before you rise to an even more important position."

Faced with Chen Bin’s compliments, Fan Sheng offered a wry smile.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Chen Bin. But honestly, the chance seems slim."

"That can’t be true. You’re just over forty, right at the peak of your career. With such solid skills, promotion is just a matter of time."

"Let’s drink. No point talking about unpleasant things."

Seeing that Fan Sheng deliberately avoided the topic, Chen Bin grew increasingly curious.

But since the former didn’t want to talk, he refrained from pressing further.

As the meal drew to a close, Fan Sheng’s wife called to ask him to come home early.

After hanging up, Fan Sheng chatted with Chen Bin half-heartedly for a bit longer before getting up to pay the bill.

Chen Bin called a ride service to safely get Fan Sheng home.

Since Chen Bin didn’t own a car, he had to slowly make his way back to the station’s dormitory.

Not long after, he suddenly noticed a woman staggering ahead of him.

She had long hair draped over her shoulders, a tall and slender figure, and a pair of legs as exquisite as Ding Zi’s.

Just as Chen Bin passed by, the woman’s body suddenly collapsed straight down.

Chen Bin quickly reached out and caught her in his arms.

Upon seeing her face up close, he realized she looked no older than eighteen or nineteen.

With a perfectly oval face and sparkling, almond-shaped eyes, she was more beautiful than many girls Chen Bin had seen before.

"Are you okay?"

The girl felt panicked in his embrace.

But when she opened her eyes and saw that he was a handsome man, she gradually relaxed.

Standing upright, she offered Chen Bin a sweet smile.

"Thank you, I’m fine."

Smelling the strong alcohol on her, Chen Bin reminded her kindly.

"It’s not safe to walk alone after drinking so much. Do you need me to escort you?"

Blushing, the girl quickly shook her head.

"No need. My friend is on the way. Thank you!"

Even though she didn’t think Chen Bin was a bad person, she instinctively kept her distance.

Her phone had automatically shut off in her pocket, so she had to muster up courage and keep wobbling forward.

Watching her slender figure disappear into the distance, Chen Bin didn’t harbor any impure thoughts.

He simply felt that at her age, the world was still simple, her gaze pure yet naive.

The next day, Lan Hui formally dismissed all the cadres on the list.

The vacated positions were put up for competition again.

The competitors included both people from inside and outside the station.

The news caused a stir throughout the station, with many people upset and agitated.

The dismissed personnel vented privately but didn’t dare confront Lan Hui.

A week later, Lan Hui announced the selection criteria.

Looking at those clearly tailored requirements, many people realized that the so-called fair competition was nothing but a sham.

One day, while Chen Bin was chatting with Zhao Xinmei in the office, they suddenly heard Fan Sheng shouting angrily from outside.

"It’s over! The TV station is done for!"

Chen Bin quickly asked, "Director Fan, what’s going on?"

Fan Sheng roared again, "They’re abandoning talented people and bringing in nobodies. She’s nothing—doesn’t know a damn thing, just spends her time under some man..."

Chen Bin felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly pulled Fan Sheng into the office.

After pushing him onto the sofa, Chen Bin turned to pour a glass of water.

"Director Fan, calm down. What exactly happened here?"